Criminal

Honestly, I have never in my life seen Kevin Costner act this well. I didn't even know he had this kind of performance in him. And, given that this movie lives or dies on how much we believe and feel for his character, I'm so glad he did the job he did. This action thriller has a "Flowers for Algernon" flavor to it, and it's really well executed. All the supporting actors were quite good, and the direction was tight and well paced. I am really surprised I liked this so much - hats off to Costner for this great performance. 4/5

Criminal on Netflix

I Origins

This sci-fi film is really engaging. The premise unfolded slowly, allowing the viewer to become invested in the world before upending it. The direction was very solid and well paced. I have to say that I was less impressed by the acting of Pitt and Marling, which really surprised me given that I am a fan of both of their work. Their acting felt flat to me, and I think that's why I ended up connecting with the story but not the people in it. Still, a solid film with a great premise. 3.5/5

I Origins on Netflix

The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Else

This disturbing, bizarre drama is really hard to watch but ultimately worth it all. And yes, this is a very flawed piece, but it's honest in its art and that makes all the difference. 3.5/5

The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Else on Netflix